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What about vaping?
This article focuses on vaping nicotine and aerosolized tobacco products. Learn more about cannabis.
Pexels, Jonathan Cooper
Is Vaping Safer Than Smoking?
E-cigarettes like JUUL, are advertised as a healthier choice than regular cigarettes. Research shows that if someone completely switches from smoking to vaping, they may be exposed to fewer harmful chemicals and have lower health risks than if they kept smoking.
But that doesn’t mean vaping is safe.
Vaping Still Causes Harm
Even though vaping may be less harmful than smoking, it still affects your health. For example:
People who vape have more problems with their mouth, gums, and teeth than people who don’t use smoke at all.
Vaping can lead to nicotine addiction, which affects how the brain grows — especially in teens.
It can make it harder to learn, remember things, and think clearly.
The e-cigarette heats up oils, metals, and chemicals. Breathing in these particles can hurt your heart and lungs.
People who vape may heal more slowly and have weaker immune systems.
Vaping and nicotine have been linked to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Vaping products have poor quality control, and contaminants have been found in many vaping products. Devices have even exploded and caused injuries.
Second-hand vapor can also harm people nearby.
The more often someone vapes, the more health problems they tend to have.
Who Profits From Vaping?
Vaping is a multi-billion dollar industry. Many e-cigarette companies are owned by Big Tobacco — the same companies that sell cigarettes. These companies have a long history of targeting marginalized groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, teens, LGBTQ+ communities, poor people, and people with mental health challenges.
Even though fewer people are smoking today, Big Tobacco still wants to make money — and vaping is one way they do that.
Thinking about Quitting?
Some people try vaping to help them quit smoking. While vaping may reduce harm, it is not an effective way to quit.
If you want to quit smoking or vaping, there are safe, proven treatments that can help. A Health Promotion Specialist can support you — reach out to us for more information.
